UPDATE: A bus driver has received a suspended sentence after being found guilty of careless driving that led to the tragic death of 18-year-old Tia Angel Cameron in Brisbane’s CBD. Lindsay Francis Selby, 70, was sentenced today, just days after the fatal incident occurred on March 8, 2024, around 5 PM.
The court disclosed that Selby struck Cameron with his city council bus, pinning her against a building during rush hour. Outside Brisbane Magistrates Court, Cameron’s father, Alastair Cameron, expressed a mix of relief and heartbreak after the verdict, which concluded Selby’s negligence caused this devastating loss.
Magistrate Aaron Simpson highlighted the profound impact of the tragedy, stating, “Whatever I do to you, you will be marked and scarred by that day.” He emphasized that Cameron’s family would bear the permanent emotional scars of their loss.
In an emotional victim impact statement, Tia’s mother, Jade Te Awhitu, lamented, “Losing Tia is more than losing a daughter—it’s losing her future she will never get to experience.” Her poignant words resonated with those in the courtroom, as the family mourned the potential lost alongside the young woman’s life.
The incident unfolded when Selby, while navigating a downhill corner, failed to observe traffic and did not apply the brakes, ultimately causing the bus to mount the footpath at a speed of 23 km/h and collide with pedestrians. CCTV footage presented during the trial showed Selby turning away from Brisbane’s Central train station moments before the crash.
Despite the serious nature of the offense, Selby was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, which was wholly suspended, contingent upon no further offenses within the next year. Additionally, he received a 12-month driving disqualification, exceeding the minimum six-month ban mandated for such offenses.
The prosecution described Selby’s actions as aggravated due to his role as a professional driver responsible for vulnerable road users. However, his defense argued for leniency, citing his health issues and claiming his profound remorse in a letter to the court.
As the case concludes, the emotional fallout for Tia’s family and the broader community remains significant. They now face the long journey of healing from this needless loss.
For updates on this developing story and its impacts, stay tuned.
